Several months ago I became part of the website, 'Six Word Memoir'. It was about two weeks after I moved into my local homeless women's shelter. What follows was my first 'six word memoir'.
homeless shelter living,
it's killing me.
I found the excercise of saying what I needed/wanted to say in exactly six words...
no more, no less....endlessly fascinating.
I hope you will check out the site. Link is included at the end of this diary.
So, anyway....I have written my diary in 'six word memoir' style.
(each 'sentence'/line = six words)
Before I start, you should know,
I left that shelter last night
I have found a safer 'home'.
and in these six word lines...
if you look, you will find
ways to help a homeless person...
little or no is money needed!
and now I share my story
about the shelter where I lived.
it starts now....hope you enjoy!
yes, virginia, homeless shelter living sucks.
Short, not sweet is my tale.
In the shelter where I live,
mother against mother...black vs whites.
So much anger, so much pain,
I silently sob, my heart shatters.
Staff loves power, wielding it sharply
collectively and individually, condenscending and dismissive
they laugh away our human identity,
and steal from us all hope.
If you should donate a meal
yes chicken and pasta always welcome,
But please remember salad/ fruit/ veggies
are nutritious and necessary for survival
after empty calorie breakfast and lunch.
I had a job upon arrival
too tired to stay on task
got fired from 4 year job.
Owner breathed a sigh of relief,
my homelessness bad for company image.
2 hours sleep, 6am, start again.
Locked out 8am/ 4pm, I wander....
If you catch us nodding out
on a bus or park bench...
We're not lazy, just sleep deprived.
Snores keep us from nightmare dreams
Sleep or nightmares/ which is worse?
I'm so tired, I can't decide!
So should you meet 'us' anywhere
and should recognize our truest need...
a kind word, a heartfelt hug...
please don't be afraid, and accept
our tears for your unexpected kindness.
Ta Da!...here's the link I promised...check it out and have some fun.
http://www.smithmag.net/...
also...addtional info...
http://www.hudhre.info/...
it is for preventing homelessness/ or helping the homeless
part of Obama's stimulus package
(i don't qualify as i am no longer employed)
another link for all Kossacks that would like to do a bit of service, compliments of 'boofdah'
http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/